The door of the limo opened with a soft hiss, and cold air spilled in, reminding Jaune that he was very far from Vale. The attendant stepped out with smooth efficiency, and gestured for them to follow. Weiss exited without hesitation, while Blake followed more quietly, her eyes already tracking exits, angles, and people. Jaune stepped out last, meeting the polished ground of the Atlas military air base.
The scale of the place hit him a little different once he was outside. Tall structures all steel and reinforced glass rose with purpose, personnel in their uniforms immaculate, shoes striking in measured cadence. Vehicles glided past on designated lanes, everything was orderly to the point of being almost unnerving.
A female officer approached the trio, her presence commanding without being loud. She wore her uniform well—denoting her as someone who had earned every inch of authority stitched into it. Her eyes were sharp without being hostile.
"Arc, Belladonna, Ms. Schnee," she said, inclining her head slightly. "It's a pleasure to have you all here. I am Officer Loam, but you may refer to me as Loam, if you wish. Welcome to Atlas."
Jaune felt his power brush against her automatically. Both his aura and weakness senses told him that she was a regular person. No runes or dream enhancements.
And yet...
His instincts remain alert. She moved like someone used to command, someone whose presence shifted rooms without effort.
"We will escort you inside," she continued. "Your luggage will be delivered to your assigned dormitories shortly."
Weiss nodded. "Thank you, officer."
As they walked, Weiss turned slightly toward her. "Will Winter be receiving us, anytime soon?"
The officer's expression softened just a fraction. "Operative Schnee is currently occupied. She is expected to return around eight this evening. She has proposed to meet with you then."
Weiss accepted that with a small nod, though Jaune noticed the flicker of something in her eyes. Anticipation, perhaps. Or concern.
They entered the facility through wide doors that slid open seamlessly. The interior was expansive, well lit, and immaculate. Polished floors reflected the overhead lights. Holographic displays hovered along the walls, cycling through data, schedules, and tactical readouts. Personnel moved in and out of adjoining corridors, some in uniform, others in lab coats, all of them moving with quiet efficiency.
"This wing houses visiting operatives and allied personnel," the officer explained as they walked. "You will be staying in officer quarters attached to the main building. You will have full access to common facilities, training areas, and approved operational zones of this military base"
Jaune glanced around, trying not to stare too openly. "This place is… quite impressive."
"Thank you, that is the intention," the officer replied evenly.
They passed by a large viewing window that looked down into a training hall. Soldiers sparred in controlled pairs, movements technical and precise. Further along, a weapons testing chamber hummed faintly, energy fields flickering behind reinforced glass.
Blake's gaze lingered there for a moment. "The personnel here... they know about LUCID?"
The officer glanced at her briefly. "Somewhat. This is an Atlas military installation. LUCID operates independently, but cooperation between us is common. That said, it functions under a need-to-know basis only."
Jaune caught the implication immediately. This was not neutral ground. This was Atlas territory, through and through.
Weiss said nothing, and when Jaune glanced at her—her expression was unreadable.
They continued on, eventually turning down a quieter corridor. The atmosphere shifted subtly. Less foot traffic. Softer lighting. The officer stopped in front of a series of doors marked with simple designations.
"These are your quarters," she said. "Officer level accommodations. If you require anything, contact information will be provided."
She turned to Weiss. "Operative Schnee will brief you personally this evening. Until then, you are free to rest or explore approved areas."
"Thank you," Weiss said.
The officer gave a final nod and departed, footsteps fading down the corridor.
For a moment, the three of them simply stood there.
"Well," Jaune said quietly. "This is definitely not my place."
Blake hummed softly. "You say that like it bothers you."
"It does a little," he admitted, rubbing the back of his neck. "Feels like I wandered into someone else's story."
Weiss opened her door without comment.
Jaune followed suit, stepping into his assigned room.
He stopped short.
Their quarters were far larger than he had expected. A wide bed sat centered against the far wall, neatly made. A desk lined one side of the room, equipped with a holo-terminal already powered on in standby mode. Opposite the bed, a large holo-television was mounted flush against the wall. There was even a small seating area near the window, overlooking a portion of the base.
A private bathroom connected off to the side, visible through a partially open door. The fixtures gleamed, modern and spotless.
Jaune let out a low breath. "For a military dorm, this is quite nice."
He took a slow walk around the room, absorbing the details. Everything felt new and clean. Carefully designed.
Undeniably military.
No LUCID insignia marked the walls with familiar symbols. This place belonged to Atlas.
He frowned slightly, the thought lingering.
Weiss hadn't mentioned that they would be staying on a military base rather than a LUCID facility. That omission felt deliberate. Though, maybe she herself didn't know.
Jaune considered bringing it up. He turned toward the door, then paused.
Better to wait.
If Winter was coming later, answers would follow soon enough.
Their bags had already been placed in the rooms. He unpacked slowly, placing his clothes away with care. His sword bag was set carefully near the foot of the bed, Lux Aeterna and Crocea Mors still secured within. He checked the locks twice before stepping back.
When he finished, he sat on the edge of the bed and leaned back, staring up at the ceiling.
Atlas felt different.
Not hostile or welcoming, but certainly watchful.
A soft chime sounded from the door. Jaune stood and opened it to find Blake standing there, arms loosely crossed.
"Room decent?" she asked.
"Better than decent," Jaune replied. "Is this really a military base? I thought the rooms were bad or something. At least that's what the movies said."
She glanced past him briefly, taking in the space. "We're staying in officer quarters. Things are a lot better here than there, most likely."
"Fair."
They walked back into the hallway together. Weiss was already there, leaning against the wall, arms folded.
"So... an Atlas military base?" Jaune asked.
Weiss met his gaze. "This is an Atlas military base. Yes."
"You didn't say anything," Blake observed.
Weiss exhaled quietly. "We'll be moving spots later. We're just here to get situated until Winter brings us to the LUCID facility later. And besides, the ball is going to be happening in two days, which means we'll be living at the Schnee mansion for a little while, after this."
Jaune nodded slowly. "Fair enough. Though, I suppose I should probably repack my clothes then."
They stood there for a moment, the weight of the place settling around them.
"So," Jaune said eventually. "We wait?"
"Yes," Weiss replied. "We wait."
And at eight in the evening, Winter Schnee would arrive.
Jaune decided fairly quickly that sitting around the dormitories would drive him up the wall. Weiss and Blake had already peeled off to settle in and do whatever quiet planning they tended to gravitate toward when left alone together. Jaune knew better than to interrupt that particular rhythm. Instead, he slung his jacket back on, checked that his digital LUCID ID was active, and stepped back out into the Atlas military base with the simple intention of walking until curiosity ran dry.
It did not.
Jaune passed through the cafeteria first, drawn in by the smell of food that somehow managed to be both hearty and clinical at the same time. Rows of long tables filled the space, soldiers and officers eating in quiet clusters. Screens along the walls displayed rotating information feeds, schedules, and tactical updates. Compared to the LUCID cafeteria back in Vale, this place felt restrained, almost austere. No idle chatter or lounging. Just refueling and moving on.
From there, Jaune wandered toward the shooting range. The sharp crack of gunfire echoed down reinforced corridors, rhythmic and controlled. Inside, soldiers stood in neatly spaced lanes, practicing with a variety of weapons. Conventional firearms dominated, but there were experimental designs mixed in. Sleek rifles with glowing conduits along their frames. Compact sidearms that hummed softly before discharging pulses of light.
Jaune watched for a while, hands in his pockets, noting the discipline in their movements. Every shot was measured and every reload practiced to muscle memory. It was a different kind of combat readiness than LUCID's, less fluid, more rigid, but no less effective.
Well... for unawakened, at least.
Beyond the range were the training fields. Vast open spaces segmented into different environments. Urban mockups with concrete buildings and narrow alleys. Forested zones with artificial terrain and programmable weather. Jaune recognized the layout immediately. Scenario training. The kind meant to simulate real world engagements.
He found the simulation rooms next, their entrances marked with warnings and operational schedules. These ones seemed less versatile than what he was used to, more focused on hostile forces, evacuation drills, defensive holds, and coordinated unit tactics.
"That makes sense," Jaune muttered to himself. "Different wars. Different tools."
He struck up conversations where he could, careful not to intrude. A few soldiers eyed him curiously at first, but once they saw his ID and heard that he had arrived with Weiss Schnee, their demeanor shifted. Respectful and curious. Willing to talk.
He learned quickly that Atlas City's safety was maintained through a tightly integrated system. The military base worked in tandem with a massive Atlas Police headquarters nearby. Officers rotated through the base for training, simulations, and joint exercises. The city itself sat under constant surveillance, shielded by layers of technology and rapid response units.
It was efficient and impressive, though faintly unsettling.
Jaune could understand why the political environment was faintly sensitive.
Eventually, Jaune's wandering brought him to the research center. The building itself was larger than he had expected, its interior humming with quiet energy. Scientists and engineers moved between workstations, eyes glued to holo displays filled with schematics and data.
Prototype weapons lined secured display areas. Laser rifles with adjustable frequencies. Beam cannons mounted on reinforced platforms, their barrels thick and ominous. Jaune lingered, studying a weapon that looked like it belonged on a vehicle rather than in a person's hands.
It was a shame that weapons like these couldn't be used in the Dream realm. Only runic tech functioned properly there, regular electrical weapons couldn't.
"No questions asked," he murmured, glancing around.
A few personnel did stop him but each time, his LUCID ID smoothed the interaction. When he explained that he had arrived alongside Weiss Schnee, the questions evaporated. The name carried weight here. More than weight, apparently. It carried history.
By the time Jaune realized how long he had been exploring, the base lights had shifted subtly, signaling the approach of evening. He turned back toward the officer dormitories, only to promptly get lost. Corridors that had seemed straightforward earlier now branched in confusing patterns. He doubled back twice before finally spotting a familiar marker.
When he rounded the corner into the dormitory area, he immediately noticed the change in atmosphere.
Winter Schnee stood near the entrance, her posture straight and commanding, speaking quietly with Weiss and Blake. Jaune slowed his steps, taking in the scene. Winter looked exactly as he remembered. Composed and severe. A presence that filled the space without effort. The presence of a Rank 2.
When Jaune approached, Weiss turned first, offering a small nod. Blake followed, her expression neutral but attentive.
"Sorry," Jaune said lightly. "Got a little turned around."
Winter's gaze shifted to him, sharp and assessing. Then she nodded once. "Jaune Arc. We have met."
"Twice," Jaune replied. "But I don't think we've ever actually talked."
"Then this will be a first," Winter said. Her tone softened just slightly. "Welcome to Atlas."
She didn't waste time. With a gesture, she turned and motioned for them to follow. Jaune fell into step easily, curiosity reigniting as they moved deeper into the base. This section felt different. More secure. The air itself seemed heavier, charged with quiet vigilance. They passed through a series of reinforced doors, each guarded by mechanical turrets mounted into the walls and ceiling. Jaune's eyes flicked toward them instinctively.
It was unlikely that they could harm his Rank 1 body, but it was still wise to be wary.
"Are those active?" he asked.
"Always," Winter replied.
She scanned her ID at a terminal. The turrets remained still, but Jaune could feel their presence, sensors tracking, calculating. The doors slid open, revealing an elevator bay beyond. The space sent a strange ripple of familiarity through him. He recognized the layout instantly.
"Underground..." he murmured.
The elevator carried them down, far beneath the surface. The hum of its descent was steady, almost soothing. When the doors opened, Jaune stepped out into the Atlas LUCID facility.
It was different from Vale's, but the bones were the same. Wide corridors. Reinforced walls. Controlled lighting. The aesthetics leaned colder here. Whites, silvers, blues. Personnel moved with disciplined precision. Awakened operatives passed by in rune frames that gleamed with advanced design. Many paused to salute Winter or offer a respectful bow. Jaune noted the way their eyes lingered on Weiss as well.
They moved through the facility until Winter stopped before a large office door. She pressed a panel, and it slid open silently.
Inside stood a a well built, uniformed man.
He was tall and broad shouldered, his age marked by streaks of gray in his hair rather than any hint of frailty. His face was sharp, eyes dark and piercing, as if he could see straight through to the thoughts behind a person's words. He rose from behind his desk as they entered.
Jaune felt the instinctive urge to stand straighter or to salute. To do something. He resisted only because Weiss and Blake remained still.
"General Ironwood," Winter said.
Ironwood smiled faintly as he stepped forward. "Weiss. It is good to have you back in Atlas. Even if briefly."
He shook her hand firmly, then turned his attention to Blake with a nod of acknowledgment. Finally, his gaze settled on Jaune.
"So," Ironwood said, his voice calm and resonant. "You are Jaune Arc."
Jaune met his gaze evenly. "Yes, sir."
Ironwood studied him for a long moment, then nodded once. "I have many questions for you. Information that only you can provide."
This was not going to be a casual conversation.
He inclined his head slightly. "I'll do my best to answer them.
.
.
AN: Advanced chapters are available on patreon